Genre: Electro
Label: Dependent
Rating: 8,5/10
2017 promises to be a great year for the
old-school rivethead. Recently, the long-expected debut of 2nd Face was
released on Dependent and soon we can expect a fresh portion of old-school
beats on Electro Aggression Records (Pyrroline and Akalotz will release a new
CD this year). At this moment, the brand-new album of Fïx8:Sëd8 is in the
spotlight. Just like 2nd Face, this project was recently signed by the label of
Stefan Herwig. However, a big difference is that Fïx8:Sëd8 is not a newcomer. Martin
Sane had already released 2 albums on his own, but publicity to these was only
given within the small dark electro scene. Thanks to the label deal with
Dependent, this will most likely change. 'Foren6' has just been released and
has already been proclaimed as one of the best dark electronic releases of this
year.
I myself was not entirely unfamiliar with the
work of Martin Sane. I have already seen Fïx8:Sëd8 live 3 times and this year, performances
number 4 and possibly 5 will follow (Fïx8:Sëd8 will play at the WGT next week,
but I am not yet sure if I will watch it; this will depend on the distance
between the different concert venues). As a result, I know very well that
Martin Sane is a perfectionist who will not release/do anything until he is
100% satisfied. Anyone who listens to 'Foren6' hears right away that it is the
result of years of work. Martin Sane makes classic dark electro in the vein of
- among others - Mentallo & The Fixer, a legendary American band which is
well-known for its complex, multi-layered compositions. Skinny Puppy is a big
influence too. If you would not know better, you would believe that a track
like 'Flatline Friend' features vocals of Ogre himself. Aside from this, Martin
Sane delivers a great vocal effort throughout the entire album, accompanied by
carefully selected vocal effects. For example, the overlap of vocals/effects in
'Baptism Of Fire' is a true pleasure for the ear. Just for this, this album already
deserves all praise and I have not even yet talked about the arrangements which
equally excel in diversity. From the subtle, mesmerising electronics in 'My
Mistress' and 'Hermaphrodite' to the (quasi-)club potential of 'X-Shaped
Scratch Mark' and 'Puritan': 'Foren6' has it all.
It is highly recommended to listen to this
album as a whole; it is only then that it will show its full potential. But if
I had to select one loose track as a favourite, it would be 'Ligamentum'. It
had been a while (since Pyrroline's album 'Ruins Outlast') that I have been so
touched by a contemporary dark electro track. 'Baptism Of Fire' and 'Eyesaw'
complete the top 3. And if I had the liberty to take into account the limited
(and nearly sold out) 'Formaldehyde Edition' of 'Foren6', I would also like to
mention 'Force Of Inertia', a magnificent remix (with added vocals) of a track
of MC1R. This is dark electro as I prefer it: intense and beautiful.
Whereas I was slightly critical with regards to
the hype around 2nd Face, I have not a single doubt about the new album of Fïx8:Sëd8.
Very solid release on Dependent and a must-have for the fans of old-school
electro. 'Foren6' can already rest assured it will get a spot in my top 10 of
2017.
CD review: Marjolein Laenen
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